Horeb United Reformed Church

The continuing story of what goes on at Horeb Chapel, and how we are doing our best to move forward and ‘do our bit’ as life goes on in these increasingly challenging times.

I’ve written regularly about the way my mind wanders when I begin to write this bimonthly piece: thinking back to my boyhood in the village in the early 1950s and earlier. This has certainly been the case this month as we have been bombarded throughout the past weeks with tales and memories of folk who lived through the final weeks of WWII and VE Day in particular. So can I begin this time with some questions which I hope if anyone can help will fill some gaps in my memory

First my background:

I’m 82 and a half-ish born in December 1942 – so growing up living in my very early years in St. Asaph

Father, a policeman so a ‘reserved occupation’ whose family lived in a tiny village in the Swansea Valley – called Cwmllynfell and mother’s family in Buckley it was very much a case of War? What war?

As I got to an age when I began to take a little more notice of things I discovered that Cwmllynfell hadn’t been at all affected by the war although it seems likely that the suicide of a relation was likely to have been the result of PTSD following service. Buckley had been touched by the war – apparently – having been ‘hit’ by bombs being jettisoned by bombers returning to their base in Germany after bombing the docks on Merseyside – however this seemed to have caused little or no damage.

BUT

One bit of memory of the war involves me and my grandfather. My mum’s dad – from Buckley.

We had moved from St. Asaph and were living in St. Margaret’s Drive (I do remember) in Rhyl; I was toddler and being taken out for a walk(?) by my Grandfather in a pushchair and had made our way towards Rhyl town centre – and we were crossing the H Bridge in Rhyl when the ‘Final All Clear’ sounded.

Well, this is how it was described to me – but did this happen on VE Day?

Thanks to Google ‘The "All Clear" signal, announcing the end of the war in Europe, was issued on May 8, 1945, at 11:01 PM Central European Time (CET), when Germany surrendered to the Allies at Reims.This date is known as Victory in Europe Day (VE Day). Winston Churchill announced the news on the radio at 3.00p.m. on the same day.’

So… Was there a sounding of the ‘All Clear’ siren at, or just after, 3.00p.m. on May 8th which we would have heard on the H Bridge in Rhyl?

Yet another very sad Event

I hope that this is not going to become a regular feature of my update but A number of us from Horeb attended the funeral of Margaret Blott recently. I first met Margaret when I began to help at our Food Co-op shortly after returning to live in Dyserth and joining Horeb.

Margaret was one of two helpers who looked after the rest of the team by keeping us supplied with Tea/Coffee when it was needed. Later, I got to know Margaret better as we both shared a liking for Quizzes and for a time quizzed regularly together in the same team.

So now back to normal - What’s Going On!

Well Food Co-op might have been gone for a while but a group of people who met at Horeb when enjoying a cuppa possibly served by Margaret (see above) back in the Food Co-op days are still meeting every week as ‘Son of Food Co-op’ – Our Wednesday ‘Coffee Morning‘

Our numbers have recently increased slightly BUT we’re in no way full so, if you have free time on a Wednesday – PLEASE JOIN US! This is not in any way a 'closed shop' - it is open to all on Wednesdays (10.00 to 12.00. Tea / coffee / biscuits / cakes (occasionally) are provided; the cost being covered whatever you feel like putting in the pot; … and if there is anything at all that warrants celebration invariably we will arrange something special – perhaps a Bacon Butty or Sausage Bap.

A relaxing time in good company with tea/coffee made to order and if it doesn't suit - we'll show you how the Lincat (Water Heater) works; where the tea/ coffee/crockery is kept, provide a bit of training … … and you can make your own just as you like it.

NOTE - Wednesday June 2nd – Celebration son of Food Co-op is 3 years old – there will be FOOD.

Community Lunches - still up and running at Horeb on the second Tuesday of the month from 12.30 – all are welcome.

No need to book – (unless you’re bringing a coachful) - and, if you’re running late, don’t worry you will be fed.

The menu for our lunches continues to be one that the small team of folk from Horeb (Some of the Elders plus a few friends / family) can manage i.e. a bowl of soup (usually a choice from 2 or three) with a bread roll and butter followed by pudding and a cup of tea/coffee or a soft drink.

As Head of washing up, (I seem to have been promoted) I can truthfully report that at every lunch thus far, all the dishes have been returned empty – and there have been no complaints either about the quantity of food or the choice of soups or puddings so again we must be doing something right. BUT we’re not full – so if you’re free… join us on June 10th .

In addition, on Tuesdays during Lent, Horeb and St Bridget’s hosted this year’s LENT lunches, This year, they were all at Horeb and were open to all with proceeds going to Christian Aid

‘Christian Aid’ is one of the causes Horeb as a Church supports, and during the Lent period we at Horeb hold a number of events as ‘fund raisers’ for them.

Unfortunately, even though all this year’s events are now over, the most recent have not been finally closed financially and we are aware that there are some contributions still to be included. This will probably happen in the week ahead and the final sum transferred to Christian Aid. I will see that this information gets to The Dyserth Times – and certainly add it to our next update. In the meantime, thanks to all who worked at; took part; contributed, and in any way helped us support this splendid organisation.

So, what is now considered ‘Normal’ - I will repeat –

• Morning Worship: [Sundays (10.30 - 11.30)] and a social time with tea/coffee and biscuits afterwards.

• The service is available 'live' to all on Zoom on the Sunday morning DETAILS Zoom (meeting id 923 732 5176 password 3fHEG9)

Weekly, a summary of ‘What’s on at Horeb’ is circulated online to keep folk in touch with hard copies available at the Sunday morning Service for those without printers.

If anyone reading this update would like to receive ‘What’s On at Horeb’ - mail me on allandavidmorgan@gmail.com and I’ll willingly add you to my list.

The Horeb Web Site problem

i.e. the website is no more BUT progress has been made. A revised, simpler to manage web Site has been designed describing both ‘What we do’, ‘Why’ and what is available at Horeb.

It should be back online – possibly even before you receive this, Thanks again to Danny Letham, our neighbour who first spotted the problem and, whose help has been invaluable in putting things right.

Horeb trying to be useful

a) Horeb’s link with Pengwern College in Rhuddlan – involved in some maintenance of Horeb ‘ground- works’ seem to have stalled as we have still been unable make contact – we’ll keep trying.

b) Tŷ Golau For many year now, Horeb has supported ‘The Night Shelter for the homeless in Rhyl’.

• Our members, when they do their weekly shopping purchase a few extra items, put them in a box in Horeb and they are delivered to Tŷ Golau every few weeks.

• The staff are grateful for the gifts and the support and the fact that we appreciate what the staff do for folk who are simply less fortunate than we – we will continue to ‘do our bit’.

c) We will continue our support of Christian Aid, The Leprosy Mission and North Wales Superkids

Finances - (unfortunately, always on our minds)

The Hiring of Paterson Hall and other space in Horeb

This is a major source of income which, has still to return to a pre-COVID level – and with the increase in fuel costs it is increasingly difficult to balance what hirers can afford to pay and what we need to charge to cover our costs - let alone gain some 'income'.

It is our hope that the return of the Web Site might be a help BUT – in the meantime if anyone reading this needs or knows anyone who needs to hire some space for a club or event The Paterson Hall, The Henry Gordon Room and the Sanctuary itself are available for Hiring for several hours during the week. Indeed, if anyone reading has a need or knows anyone who wishes to Hire a space, they should contact

Barbara Tebbutt on 01745 570793 or me on 01745 570364.

(NOTE, Barbara will be giving up this job that she has done for simply ages quite soon – so do not be surprised if you are redirected)

Aware that we, in many ways, are battling for the survival of Horeb, the Elders and Members, remain determined to continue to work hard and to do our best to keep Horeb Chapel alive and well.

Finally, as usual, you know where we are, you know we will be open for worship at 10.30 a.m. every Sunday, and if you are thinking about joining us for worship one Sunday, you will be very welcome.

So, I'll sign off wishing all peace, health and fulfilment as Spring turns to Summer; hoping that the weather remains good for enjoying the outdoors and that we get a little rain.

Allan Morgan (Horeb Elder)